Page 70 - Demo

70 || FASHION MAGAZINE || JANUARY 2017Do you have preference for outdoor or studio photography?I like both on location and in-studio photography. Lately I have preferred in studio sessions since I like to do a lot of creative composites and editing to create Masterpiece portraits, and that is easier for me to achieve in a controlled studio setting.Your images possess special lighting, how long did it take you to develop your skills?I prefer more dramatic lighting for my portraits, I feel it gives my portraits more of a 3 dimensional look. My lighting is part of my style, I have explored different lighting types and styles throughout my 19 years as a professional photographer. I believe I started using and mastering my current lighting style that defines my images about 8 years ago.You shot the cover of our current issue; what%u2019s the most challenging aspects of underwater photography?Underwater photography is a completely different animal when compared to above water. Some of the biggest challenges are making sure the water is clean. Debris in the pool even fine debris will make the water look murky and will cause focusing problems, not to mention a lot more work in editing. Teaching models how to pose and relax underwater is also a big challenge. It is natural for people even those who are good swimmers to do the puffer fish cheeks while trying to hold their breath. It is also important to teach clients and models how to be aware of all their body parts underwater, and to think like a ballerina.How do you connect with your models posing underwater?I connect with my models by talking to them above water before each time we go under. I go over the pose to do, how far to go underwater, what is and isn%u2019t working and what we can do to make it work better or easier. We normally go under for 10 seconds at a time, before we come up and go over the next pose.How much time do you spend on retouching?A LOT! I spend most of my time doing creative edits to create the artwork you see in my work and portfolio. An easy way to explain it, is to think about when a painter draws a sketch on a canvas before painting his masterpiece. When I photograph my clients it%u2019s the same as the painter drawing the sketch, then the artwork and concepts keep building from there.